The CRTC said last week that it will accept applications for another FM radio station in Calgary.
The regulator received 75 interventions in support of providing at least one more licence for a station in the market it now says is on the economic rebound with strong population growth and higher average household income despite the downturn caused by the pandemic.
“This is mainly due to a strong energy sector, strong oil prices and significant population growth,” which includes growth in the city’s ethnic and indigenous populations, the regulator said in its reasons, adding in the 2021-2022 broadcast year, the market reported increases in local sales and profitability.
As such, the commission said it may be better that the market be served by a new ethnic or indigenous station, “which would have minimal impact on incumbent mainstream commercial stations and increase the diversity of voices in the Calgary market in line with the Diversity of Voices policy.”
Bell and five other operators jointly filed their opposition to adding another commercial radio station. They pointed to incumbent commercial stations experiencing several years of declining revenues that aren’t just tied to the pandemic.
They argued that the dog-eat-dog world of more competition chasing shrinking advertising dollars would not only impact their revenues but also harm the quality and diversity of their programming.
The opposing group, however, said they did not oppose a new community radio station.
Calgary is currently served by 20 commercial radio stations, including from the likes of Bell, Rogers, and Corus.
Last week, the CRTC reopened the process to add another FM radio station in Yellowknife after denying an application by online station Cabin Radio last year.
